eyes to new opportunities, and for themto be successful after high school," saidMcCann. "We are all about helping themachieve their dreams."

An accredited high school, LMACS isfocused on enabling its 120 studentsachieve academic, social and careersuccess, according to Margaret McDevitt,LMACS Director.

"We like to describe our students as `over-aged and under-credited,' `' saidMcDevitt. "They have left school beforegraduation for all kinds of reasons. Theaverage age of our students is 17, but wehave graduated many 21-year-olds."

Through TJX's YBI program, LMACSstudents are learning what the world ofwork really looks like, said McDevitt."These TJX managers have so much tooffer our students."

After Finnerty goes over a list of ideasabout how to prioritize your time, Wissaexplains how to use the 2012 day-planners TJX has given each student.Then, Morse shares another tip only ahiring manager would know: "Don't haveloud, blaring background music on theirvoicemail greeting," advised Morse."When I call a job applicant back andhear crazy, offensive music on theirvoicemail, I hang up," she said.

Only after McDevitt and her LMACSstaff began meeting with TJX about theYBI program, did they truly appreciatehow much the company employees had tooffer the students, she said. "The peopleteaching these sessions have worked forthe company for a long time, some ofthem for 30 years or more," saidMcDevitt.

"One thing we hear a lot is that many ofthese managers started at the bottom,were mentored by somebody at thecompany, and worked their way up," sheadded. "That's a good message for ourstudents to hear."

how to dress for success, explained Wissa."We are working with students who needthese resources, and providing many withjob and scholarship opportunities," hesaid.

Thus far, approximately 1,600 studentshave graduated from all of the YBIprograms in various states, said Wissa.The current goal is to hire more of theYBI students and graduates, he said. TJXhopes to continually increase the hire rateover the next five years, as the programexpands to more communities withMarshalls, T.J.Maxx and HomeGoodsstores.

At LMACS, YBI is geared toward olderstudents who are close to graduating. TJXalso offers its Business Basics program toyounger LMACS students. "BusinessBasics gives students an overview of manypositions at TJX," explained McDevitt."We take three TJX trips: Two trips to thecorporate offices in Framingham, and onetrip to a Regional Distribution Center ­which the kids just love," she said.

TJX distribution centers are enormousfacilities, filled with items and boxeswhizzing by on conveyer belts, McDevittsaid. "That place runs like a wellchoreographed dance, and the kids arejust mesmerized," she said. "They havenever thought about where all the clothesand merchandise in the stores comefrom."

Not only is Business Basics designed tofascinate the young people, said Wissa, italso exposes them to new careerpossibilities. "These trips areopportunities for students to see thatworking in retail is more than just foldingand selling clothes," he said. "At TJX, we

In addition to investing employees' timein these two programs, Wissa added, TJXdevotes other resources, as well. All YBIstudents are given a tote bag, containing aday-planner, pad-folio, calculator, pen andpencil set, and (when they graduate fromthe program), a set of personalizedbusiness cards. After the dress-for-successportion of the curriculum, each student istaken shopping by a personal shopper,who helps them select work-appropriateclothing.

In short, said McDevitt, TJX rolls out thered carpet for her students. "We aretreated like royalty on these trips," shesaid. "And everybody comes home with agoodie bag. The kids really appreciate thegifts, and it helps bring home thecommitment TJX has invested in theprogram."

Back in the YBI classroom, as Morsecontinues her presentation, she gives thestudents another helpful hint: "Guys,make sure you have a simple,straightforward email address," she said."When I'm looking through resumés, Iimmediately weed out all those withinappropriate email addresses," she said.

"I've been a manager for a long time and Ican't repeat some of the wild and crazyaddresses I've seen," Morse said. "Whenyou're looking for a job, you want to sellyourself. Don't sell yourself short."

Kathy Register

Erik Wissa, TJX Community Relations Senior Specialist, (left) shows Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School(LMACS) students how to use the day-planner TJX has given each Youth Business Institute (YBI) student.

Evelyn Morse, HomeGoods Regional Security Manager, (right) leads a classroom of 24 LMACS students through a YBIpresentation on resumé writing.